Story by Phillip Prichard, MSA / Photos by MSA Staff:
John Force Racing doubled up at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals with Brittany Force getting her first victory and Robert Hight winning in Funny Car. Force powered her Monster Energy dragster to a 3.772-second run at 318.77 mph to outlast Terry McMillen’s 3.981 at 266.90 in his Amalie Motor Oil Xtermigator dragster. This was Force’s eighth career final-round appearance and first ever at Gainesville Raceway. After also racing to the finals in Phoenix, Force became the first female Top Fuel racer to appear in back-to-back finals since Melanie Troxel in 2006. As the No. 5 qualifier, Force defeated Morgan Lucas, Tripp Tatum, and Dave Connolly before beating McMillen in the final. Her victory propelled her to the top in the Top Fuel point standings.
This marks the first time since 1990 that female Top Fuel racers have won back-to-back events. Gainesville, also, marks the first time there have been back-to-back first time Top Fuel winners.
McMillen, appearing in his first ever final round, sped past defending world champ Antron Brown, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher, and Clay Millican before having engine problems in the final against Force. McMillen jumped from 10th to fifth in points.
Robert Hight pushed his Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to a 4.429 at 280.95, outrunning Ron Capps’ 7.047 at 89.05 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. This is Hight’s first win in 2016 and third in Gainesville. He qualified third and defeated Terry Haddock, Matt Hagan, and Chad Head en route to earning his 37th career win. Hight leads the Funny Car points.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson raced his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to a holeshot win against Ken Black Racing teammate and points leader Jason Line. Anderson posted a 6.590 at 210.01 and used a quicker reaction time to cross the finish line before his teammate, who powered his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.581 at 210.57. Anderson raced past V. Gaines, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Allen Johnson in the earlier rounds. The KB Racing duo of Anderson and Line has combined to win the first three Pro Stock events this year.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Eddie Krawiec rode his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.820 at 198.23 to defeat Hector Arana Sr.’s 6.920 at 196.44 on his Lucas Oil Buell. This marks Krawiec’s 32nd career win and his fourth victory at Gainesville Raceway. As the No. 1 qualifier, Krawiec outran Michael Phillips, Jerry Savoie, and teammate and world champion Andrew Hines to make it to the final.
Two-time world champion Rickie Smith outran Danny Rowe in the final round to win the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the event. Smith’s late-model IDG Chevrolet Camaro powered to a performance of 5.829 seconds at 249.86 mph to hold off Rowe’s Agave Underground Tequila ’68 Chevy Camaro that raced a 5.869 at 233.76. It was Smith’s ninth victory and second at Gainesville Raceway. Smith took out Steven Whiteley, last year’s Gatornationals champ; Mike Castellana; and Chip King to meet Rowe in the final.
In Friday’s action, Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock), and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were qualifying leaders.
In Saturday’s Action, Jack Beckman set a national record and raced to the No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock), and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were No. 1 qualifiers.
The 7th Annual 4 Wide Nationals will be at ZMax Dragway in Concord, NC on April 22-24. This unique event is the only time that NHRA runs four wide instead of the normal two side competition. Visit their website at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for event information.
The 36th Annual Southern Nationals will be at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA on May 13-15. Visit their website at www.atlantadragway.com for information.
Stay abreast of NHRA information at www.nhra.com.
